"Be not afraid..."

"Be not afraid,
I go before you always
Come, follow me,
And I will give you rest..."

As soon as I heard the first few notes of this classic hymn by Bob Dufford at Church last weekend, my eyes welled.
I cry every time I hear it.

And it has been the case since I was a young child. I recall becoming emotional in Church and then desperately trying to stifle my tears. Perhaps at the time I being exposed to death for the first time, or overwhelmed at school or home. I just recall being a frightened child, and hearing this song at Church would reduce me to tears. Was God really hearing me and telling me not to be afraid? The very thing that I always was?
No matter what is going on in my life, in times of anxious or peaceful state, this song stings my eye. How powerful is the message from God is reminding you He is there in His words…

“If you pass through raging waters
in the sea, you shall not drown.
If you walk amidst the burning flames,
you shall not be harmed.
If you stand before the pow’r of hell
and death is at your side,
know that I am with you, through it all…”

I really needed to hear the words this week. I had just signed off on the final manuscript for the book and sent it to the printers. I read it until my eyes tore and all my doubts crept in … “it’s not great… I want to change it…what are people going to say…” In addition the thought of the launch itself, and the response, has been overwhelming… a bit of excitement, nervous anticipation; and an old tape popped up that I thought I had smashed and thrown in the bin… “I’m so embarrassed, people are going to say, who does she think she is…?” Yikes!

That’s a big one with me when it comes to my writing. I am yet to completely validate myself as an author, so putting myself out there is more difficult than others may think.

​So I had a crazy week, very mixed feelings, and a few extra knots in my stomach. I used my tools and managed to get on top of them well. So, sitting in Church and hearing this song was perfect timing. I know God knew I needed to hear it, I truly believe that. And no greater comfort is knowing that no path is too difficult without Him before you.